CARLSBAD  Runners, walkers and spectators flooded the streets of Carlsbad Sunday for the second half of the annual Carlsbad 5000 weekend.

Organizers estimated there were more than 8,000 participants with thousands more on hand to cheer them on or check out the event, which included eight races, a five-kilometer walk, a beer garden and a health-themed expo.

“It’s kind of the annual North County runners’ party,” said Dan Cruz, spokesman for the Competitor Network, the group that organizes the races and walks that travel along Carlsbad Boulevard with an ocean view most of the way.

Participants ranged from toddlers at Saturday’s Junior Carlsbad to runners in their 70s and 80s on Sunday.

Kathy Carpenter, 70, ran with two other generations of her family ‑ her daughter and grandson.

“We can’t keep up with her,” said her daughter, Alicia Kendzor.

Carpenter said she finished second in her age group.

“It’s a good feeling,” the septuagenarian said. “We’re doing a great, healthy thing.”

The event has taken place in Carlsbad’s village center area since 1986.

Local business owners and managers said the event generates some new customers each year. But they also said a lot of their regulars avoid the village on race day because of the crowds and difficulty in finding parking.

“You’d think it would be kind of slamming and jumping, but it’s just kind of a regular day,” said Paula Underwood, general manager of the Boxd restaurant.

One local business especially hopping on Sunday was Pizza Port, which has been involved with the event for nearly 20 years. The restaurant and brewery sponsored the races for the first time this year after co-sponsoring with other brewers in the past.

Pizza Port prepared 33 kegs for the beer garden, where each runner could get two free beers, said Gina Marsaglia, who owns the chain with her brother. Many of the runners made their way to the restaurant and brewery to get more to drink or eat.

“It’s one of our biggest days,” said Marsaglia, who also ran in Sunday’s race.

She looks forward to race day and reconnecting with people from previous races.

“It’s a big family reunion,” she said.

The races can be extremely competitive ‑ runners have put up 16 world records over the years. Dejen Gebremskel won the men’s division of the 5000 with a time of 13:20 while Geleta Burka captured the women’s division in 15:26.

Some racers took it less seriously with some donning costumes, including the Easter Bunny and a chicken on Sunday.

“This event is really a celebration of the Southern California healthy lifestyle,” Cruz said. “It’s all about having fun and celebrating fitness.”